DREAMS PUERTO VALLARTA "thread"

[Jess]

Jill, I'd rather have less, believe me!!

 

Jaclyn - where in SD do you live? I'm in Carlsbad - but closer to Encinitas area.

[autjo]

Like most people on here, I am going to have the Mexican trio (included in the Ultimate package) play during the cocktail hour. Then I asked Rebeca to hire a DJ to play during the reception.

 

As for the packages, I did a ton of number crunching and found that for the 50 people I think will be attending the Ultimate package was a total steal. The only outside thing I am coordinating is the photographer as most will agree that the resort provided photographs are not very good. Ceremony, cocktail hour and reception are included for 20 people, then you pay extra for the people over that and a few add-on details. Even then, the numbers were better with the biggest package and you don't have to coordinate things like food, flowers, hair, makeup, etc. becuase Rebeca does it all for you!

 

Don't worry about the price for your guests becuase if they want to be there they will. My mom cried for 2 weeks when I told her I was going to Mexico becuase she said no one would come. Well, I already have 35 people booked and still haven't sent out the formal invitations

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by aprilmay I sent in my request for one yesterday! Is the ultimate package the really good one with the mariachi band? If you did have them were they good? (aka - worth it?)   Good to hear you've had a good experience with the Dreams WC. I just need to get a good TA so my guests can get the best deal possible cause there are some complaining about the cost. I'm not too concerned with any other extras, I'm happy with the palm tree design they do around the arch-thingy. But I do think the mariachi trio would be pretty cool.   What are you doing for the reception? Is it included in the package? And how bout music & dancing for later?

Jilll - I am jealous too! We'll have to combine our guests so it looks like 70 people are there

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by J&MWedding I have to admit, I get a little jelous when I hear about all you SD girls having over 70 ppl coming... but of course, I'm happy for you girls too!

Jess - I thought Dreams made you rent the dance floor for the beach? I was thinking that was one of the reasons I didn't do the reception on the beach... I know I have an email from Rebeca at home. I'll see if I can find it.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jess I posted this on another thread - but for those of you with receptions on the beach - did/are you getting a dance floor? It's so much $$ but I feel like it is necessary...is it?

[Jess]

Hey autjo - not sure if Rebecca makes you - I'm using an outside wedding coordinator though so I think the requirements are different

[jmmercer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jess Jill, I'd rather have less, believe me!! Jaclyn - where in SD do you live? I'm in Carlsbad - but closer to Encinitas area.

Hey Jess,

I live in Torrey Highlands... just east of Carmel Valley off the 56 btwn the 5 and 15. Not far from you at all! We should meet up sometime!

Jaclyn

[Jess]

super close Jaclyn! I used to live in Carmel Valley until I moved last May.

[1elephant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aprilmay I sent in my request for one yesterday! Is the ultimate package the really good one with the mariachi band? If you did have them were they good? (aka - worth it?)

i had them; we were off taking pictures during the cocktail hour, but my parents said they were great. cost-wise, it's probably equivalent to hiring a dj for an extra hour.

[aprilmay]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauren i had them; we were off taking pictures during the cocktail hour, but my parents said they were great. cost-wise, it's probably equivalent to hiring a dj for an extra hour.

Ya I've decided it's a must. It will really make the experience feel more "Mexican" if you know what I mean. Only problem is that I want to enjoy them too!!! (Can I skip the pics and hang with the guests??)

[smith3576]

 

I JUST typed out this LONG response and the server froze on me! Let's see if I can remember what I said...and then I HAVE to get back to work!!!

 

Congratulations KLila!!!

 

Jaclyn - I'm getting married on the 3rd! Maybe we'll overlap? When are you getting there?

 

Here are some of my thoughts on things that have been asked lately:

 

We have a great TA - Jewel Ramos with Worldview Travel. She got us great rates with a room block that didn't require us putting down money per room and didn't require us to book all of the rooms. And she got the rates lowered and hotel credits (for like the spa) after people had booked them when the swine flu dropped room rates (yes, people actually got refunds!). She even coordinated my main wedding arrangements; now that I am working on details, I'm working with Rebeca directly.

 

Rebeca has been fantastic and very responsive. We are using the basic wedding package (free because of the number of nights we booked our hotel room). I think in terms of the packages you just have to figure out about how many people you'll have and what you want and then determine what is most cost effective. For us, it was just using the basic package and then adding on a few things since we didn't want most of the higher package stuff.

 

She told us that we could rent a dance floor if we wanted, so I don't think it's required. We decided to do the reception on terrace, but if everyone is barefoot, I think dancing on the sand is fine.

 

We are using the white chairs that come for free, so I don't know anything about the chair fees.

 

I definitely recommend asking questions and clarifying things because sometimes things are more flexible. For example, asking about the cake stuff, we found out we could substitute the cake for the dessert and not pay anything extra (so no extra $ for the extra people). Or we could bring in an outside cake for no charge. Or the dessert and cake would be $5 for each person over 20 (I think it said $7 or $10 on the package). So it's worth clarifying and asking about things. We still haven't decided what we're going to do because it seems like the general consensus is the cakes aren't that great so maybe we'll just do the dessert no cake. But it seems like we need a cake, so maybe just a small cake. I don't know. Too many decisions!

 

We're also still looking for feedback on the wedding menu options for all married gals still around.

 

Let's see, what else? Oh, our photographer (Elizabeth Lloyd) said a 4:30 ceremony (assuming a 20-30 min ceremony) in Nov is fine. That gives about 45 min for pictures and then still some day light for the cocktail hour. Even though the sun sets at 5:20, there is still light for a while. I think we're going to keep it for that ....the later the better because I'm worried about it being hot...but if we get there and it seems too late we'll move it back half an hour.

 

We figured that since most of our guests would have had to travel to the wedding any way, they are probably saving money. The only thing that is slightly more is airfare, but that is pretty much offset by the savings on hotel, food, drink, rental car, etc. AND they are getting a vacation! But we worried about that too. We finally just figured out that you have to do what you want, and the "important" people will be there.

 

Oh, and I have a question for ladies who have been there...instead of the traditional rehearsal dinner, we are thinking of doing a beach bonfire. Is it too hot at night for a bonfire in Nov? Does anyone know?

 

Or, and one more question! Someone had mentioned that the nightly activities could interfere with the wedding activities. Has anyone had that experience? I figured it would have come up by now, but you never know!

 

Thanks! Now, back to work!

 

Jamie

[J&MWedding]

On the rehearsal dinner subject - I was sent tons of quotes and info from restaurants and other BDW brides. There were some great rates as other brides have mentioned, but I think I came to a conclusion. We were going to take everyone out offsite to dinner, but I think we are cancelling it all. We will do the rehearsal and then whoever wants to just eat together at the resort will. My girlfriend said that it might be better for us not to have an 'event' scheduled every night -so that guests can have time to theirselves to enjoy their "vacation." We are doing a welcome gathering on Wed, wedding on Friday, so I figure have nothing scheduled on thursday so that guests can just go on excursions etc. etc.

Does anyone feel like that is just totally rude not to have a formal rehearsal dinner? We will still go to dinner with our parents probably but just at the resort at one of the restaurants.

[J&MWedding]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauren i had them; we were off taking pictures during the cocktail hour, but my parents said they were great. cost-wise, it's probably equivalent to hiring a dj for an extra hour.

Lauren, I have to admit, once in a while, I always go back to your review, planning thread, and pics! It gets me more and more excited!
I can't wait to see more reviews!